Device for driving instruments and tools and the use thereof

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for driving instruments and tools comprising a housing ( 12 ) for mounting a motor ( 18 ), a power supply device ( 20 ) associated with the motor ( 18 ), and a conical drive element ( 22 ) partially protruding out of the housing ( 12 ) and associated with the motor ( 18 ) and interacting with the instruments or tools, and a switching device ( 16 ) disposed on the outside ( 14 ) of the housing ( 12 ) for switching on and off the motor ( 18 ), the switching device ( 16 ) comprising an actuating element ( 26 ) extending at least partially around the circumference of the housing ( 12 ) and being designed to be rotatable relative to the housing ( 12 ), and the use thereof.

The invention relates to a device for driving instrument and tools, andthe use thereof.

Such devices are generally known. Accordingly, such devices serve, forexample, in the medical field of gynecology, for driving cutting devicesto be put into rotation for removing tissue from a uterus, a uterusoverall, or for the treatment of myomas, etc. Such devices are furtherutilized in medicine in numerous, partially broad specialty fields, suchas with surgical procedures in the abdomen, stomach, and for the removalof the gall bladder or the removal of the appendix. Such devices usuallyhave a housing for accommodating a motor, a power supply deviceassociated with the motor, and a conical drive element associated withthe motor, partially projecting from the housing, and interacting withthe instruments or tools, and a switching device disposed on theexterior side of the housing for switching the motor on or off. However,such devices have proven relatively disadvantageous in practice. Suchdevices all have a switching device comprising an actuating element,which is invariably embodied as a pushbutton switch that can be radiallymoved in and out of the housing, or as a sliding switch that can bedisplaced back and forth in longitudinal direction of the housing. Suchan actuating element is consequently positioned at a certain location ofthe housing. In order to actuate the same the device must therefore ingeneral be initially aligned opposite of the thumb or a finger of theuser's hand in an exact manner. Subsequent to that only, the actuatingelement can then be radially pushed or displaced in longitudinaldirection. Such necessary handling is extensive and prevents a promptengagement, which is cumbersome particularly in case of surgeries in themedical field.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a device fordriving instruments and tools, by means of which the above disadvantagescan be avoided, which is consequently constructed in a particularlysimple, compact, and stable manner, and simultaneously enables simpleand quick handling, and which provides an advantageous use of saiddevice.

Said problem is solved in a surprisingly simple manner with regard tothe device mechanism by means of the characteristics of claim 1.

Accordingly, a simple, compact, and stable construction of the entiredevice can be achieved by means of configuring the device according tothe invention for driving instruments and tools, comprising a housingfor accommodating a motor, a power supply device associated with themotor, and a conical drive element associated with the motor, partiallyprojecting from the housing and interacting with the instruments ortools, and a switching device disposed on the exterior side of thehousing for switching the motor on and off, wherein the switching devicecomprises an actuating element extending at least partially,particularly completely, about the circumference of the housing and isconfigured in a relatively pivotable manner opposite of the housing.Furthermore, by configuring the device according to the invention withan actuating element of the switching device extending at leastpartially about the circumference of the housing and embodied in arelatively pivoting manner opposite of the housing an overall markedlysimple and quick handling of the device overall is achieved. In thismanner the device does not need to first be brought into position withthe use thereof in order to align the actuating element opposite thethumb or a finger of the user's hand. Due to the fact that the actuatingelement extends at least partially about the circumference of thehousing and can be relatively pivoted opposite of the housing, aseparate, extensive positioning of the device is no longer required. Atbest merely a slight twisting of the device is to be carried out in onemovement, which becomes less extensive the more the actuating elementextends about the circumference of the housing. In this manner thehandling of the device according to the invention is significantlysimplified both for users that are right-handed as well as left-handed.

Further advantageous details of the device according to the inventionare described in claims 2 to 29.

The characteristics of claim 2 are of particular meaning, according towhich the actuating element of the switching device is embodied inannularly or in disk shape. The actuating element of the switchingdevice therefore extends about the entire circumference of the housingof the device according to the invention. The actuating element of theswitching device is consequently accessible in an unimpeded mannerindependent of the device itself. Any positioning or aligning of thedevice in the hand of the user can be completely omitted. Handling isalso significantly simplified for both a right-handed and a left-handeduser.

In a particularly advantageous manner the actuating element of theswitching device according to claim 3 is embodied as a ring that issupported particularly on a part of the housing. In this manner theactuating element obtains additional stability, which benefits theentire device according to the invention in the handling thereof.

According to measures of claim 3 the actuating element of the switchingdevice extends beyond the exterior side of the housing, thus improvingthe ability to handle the device according to the invention by means ofeasily reaching the actuating element of the switching device withouteven having to look at it, e.g. by means of merely touching the same.

Furthermore, it is within the scope of the invention that the actuatingelement of the switching device according to claim 5 has profiling onthe outer circumference thereof. Due to such profiling the handling ofthe device according to the invention can be further improved by meansof increasing the grip of the actuating element. Any unintentionalslipping off of the thumb or the respective finger of the user from theactuating element is therefore impossible.

For this purpose the profiling according to claim 6 is advantageouslyembodied on the outer circumference of the actuating element of theswitching device as a knurling, gearwheel, or crown gear. As analternative, the profiling may also be embodied in the form of at leasttwo recessed grips or the like, wherein in this case however, preferablyat least four recessed grips should be provided, e.g. one recessed gripeach at a 90° spacing.

In a further embodiment of the invention the actuating element of theswitching device according to claim 7 is embodied in a relativelypivoting manner opposite of the housing about the longitudinal axis ofthe housing or an axis parallel to the same.

Furthermore, the invention provides that the actuating element of theswitching device according to claim 8 can be relatively pivoted from afirst position, particularly an initial position, into a secondposition, particularly a contact position, and vice versa, opposite ofthe housing.

The characteristics of claims 9 to 12 serve to simplify construction ofthe device according to the invention and simultaneously improve thecompactness and stability of the device according to the invention.

Accordingly, at least one stop element is associated with the actuatingelement of the switching device according to claim 9 for limiting therelative pivoting of the actuating element opposite of the housing. Suchan embodiment is achieved in a simple manner in that the actuatingelement of the switching device can be pivoted back and forth betweenthe two positions, more specifically between the initial position andthe contact position. The pivoting movement of the actuating element ofthe switching device is therefore defined in an exact manner.

In this context the invention provides that the actuating element of theswitching device according to the characteristics of claim 10 isequipped with at least one substantially curved elongated hole or recessin which a pin, bolt, or similar guide element is accommodated extendingsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

Preferably, the actuating element of the switching device according toclaim 11 is equipped with two substantially curved elongated holes orrecesses in which a pin, bolt, or similar guide element is accommodatedextending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of thehousing.

The characteristics of claim 12, in that the two curved elongated holesor recesses are disposed at an offset toward each other at the actuatingelement of the switching devices substantially by about 180°,additionally serve for an exact guiding and limiting of the actuatingelement during the pivoting thereof relative to the housing.

Of particular interest are the constructive measures of claim 13.Accordingly, the switching device comprises a magnetic switch,particularly a Reed switch, for turning the motor on and off. In thismanner a free movement of the switching device is ensured, as theindividual components are not in any mechanical engagement with eachother. Simultaneously, this reduces any mechanical abrasion andassociated susceptibility of failure of the individual components amongeach other. Both increases the life of the switching device, which inturn has a very advantageous effect on the device according to theinvention overall, especially if the device has an encapsulated housing.Finally, the magnetic switch has the particular advantage over liquid,steam, and/or gas, which are utilized for the sterilization of thedevice after successful use thereof, of being non-sensitive andabsolutely leak-proof.

For this purpose the switching device according to claim 14 preferablycomprises a contact wire for the electric connection of the motor to thepower supply device and a magnet interacting with the contact wire.

According to claim 15 the contact wire of the switching device issubstantially disposed in a groove extending approximately parallel tothe longitudinal axis of the housing, and the magnet is disposed on theactuating element of the switching device at the interior circumferencethereof in a manner facing the contact wire, and vice versa.

In order to further simplify the handling of the device according to theinvention the switching device according to claim 16 comprises aresetting device which is associated with the actuating element andpressurizes the actuating element such that the actuating element can bereturned automatically from the contact position into the initialposition.

In this context it is particularly advantageous that the resettingdevice according to claim 17 has a magnetic arrangement, wherein amagnet is disposed on or in the actuating element of the switchingdevice, and two magnets associated with the one magnet are disposed inthe housing.

In an alternative embodiment the resetting device according to claim 17may comprise a spring arrangement, wherein a spring is disposed betweenthe actuating element of the switching device and the housing.

It is further within the scope of the invention that the switchingdevice according to claim 19 comprises a relay that is associated withthe motor. For this purpose the relay has two particularly importantfunctions: the relay serves to build up and maintain a sufficientoperating voltage for the motor or the contact wire of the switchingdevice, and the relay is provided as a motor brake for the motor. Inthis regard a turning on or off of the motor occurs nearly in real time.A so-called dieseling of the motor is therefore excluded.

Furthermore, the constructive measures of claim 20 are of particularlysignificant meaning. Accordingly, the switching device comprises adevice for displaying the current state of the power supply deviceassociated with the motor. It is also conceivable to display theremaining, thus available charge of an accumulator or a batteryavailable to the user, or also the current activity state during thecharging of an accumulator by means of such a device.

For this purpose the invention provides that the switching deviceaccording to claim 21 comprises at least one light-impermeable housingsection that is equipped with optical signaling elements, particularlywith light-emitting diodes.

Purposefully, the at least one light-impermeable housing sectionaccording to claim 22 is embodied in a continuous, particularly annularmanner. In an alternative or cumulative embodiment the at least onelight-impermeable housing section may also be embodied in adiscontinuous, particularly punctiform manner.

According to claim 23 the housing is embodied in an encapsulated mannerin a particularly preferred embodiment, wherein the power supply devicehas at least one rechargeable accumulator. Due to such an encapsulatedembodiment of the housing a high life expectancy of the device accordingto the invention can be obtained, since the device may be sterilizedmultiple times using liquid, steam, and/or gas without any adverseinfluence on the functionality thereof, and may thus be reused forsubsequent uses and operations. The encapsulation of the housing safelycounteracts any ingress of moisture into the interior of the deviceaccording to the invention.

In this context the invention provides that the at least onerechargeable accumulator according to claim 24 can be electricallyconnected to an external charging device via contacts disposed on anexterior side of the housing.

In an alternative embodiment in this regard the housing according toclaim 25 may advantageously be closed in a sealed manner via a screw,bayonet or similar closure using a cover or cap-shaped closing element,wherein the power supply device has at least one battery.

In a further alternative embodiment the housing according to claim 26 isembodied in an encapsulated manner, wherein the power supply device hasa line for the electric connection to an external power source.

In a particularly advantageous manner the housing and/or the switchingdevice and/or the actuating element and/or the light-impermeable housingsection according to claim 27 may be made from plastic, particularly(hard) polyvinyl chloride, polyoximethylene (POM), polyester,polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), ABS, acrylic, polycarbonate,tetrafluoroethylene or impax, duro-plastic elastomers, with or withoutfiber glass reinforcement, or of a combination thereof. The deviceaccording to the invention is of particularly light weight constructionand may be produced in a considerably cost-effective manner.

As an alternative it is also within the scope of the invention that thehousing and/or the switching device and/or the actuating deviceaccording to claim 28 are made from metal, particularly (rust-resistant)steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass, zinc, gunmetal alloys, or analloy thereof.

The device can therefore be thermally and/or chemically sterilizedoverall and reused for multiple uses without any problems.

Furthermore, the characteristics of claim 29, according to which thehousing can be produced by means of milling, injection molding, orlaser, serves for a versatile and an individual applicability that isespecially adjusted to individual conditions, and a cost-effectiveproduction of the device according to the invention.

Said problem is finally also solved with regard to the use thereof bymeans of the characteristics of claim 30.

Accordingly, a device may be utilized for driving instruments and toolsfor laparoscopic, thoracoscopic, or arthroscopic and minimally invasivesurgical procedures. The device according to the invention is suitablefor driving, for example, morcellators in order to cut out and removetissue cylinders from tissue located within a body or joint cavityand/or in or on a wall region thereof, such as of an organic body thatis at least partially accommodated in and/or surrounded by an organichollow space of a human body, preferably of embryos, myomas, tumors,abscesses, and carcinomas.

Further characteristics, advantages, and details of the invention areobvious from the following description of some preferred embodiments ofthe invention, and from the drawings. They show:

FIG. 1 a perspective front view of an embodiment of a device accordingto the invention for driving instruments and tools,

FIG. 2 a perspective rear view of the embodiment of the device accordingto the invention for driving instruments and tools according to FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3 and 4 a top view and a bottom view of the embodiment of thedevice embodied according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 a side view of the embodiment of the device embodied according tothe invention according to FIGS. 1 to 4,

FIG. 6 a cross-sectional view across the embodiment of the deviceembodied according to the invention in longitudinal direction of lineVI-VI in FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 a cross-sectional view across the embodiment of the deviceembodied according to the invention in longitudinal direction of lineVII-VII in FIG. 5,

FIGS. 8A to 8E a broken, schematic, perspective front view, top view,perspective rear view and bottom view, and a side view of the embodimentof the device embodied according to the invention according to FIGS. 1to 7,

FIGS. 9A to 9F a perspective view and a side view of a differentembodiment of a device embodied according to the invention and a topview, a further side view, and two cross-sectional views across theembodiment of the device in longitudinal direction of lines IXE-IXE andIXF-IXF in FIG. 9D,

FIGS. 10 to 16 a perspective front view, a perspective rear view, a topview, a bottom view, and a side view of yet another embodiment of adevice according to the invention for driving instruments and tools, anda cross-sectional view across the embodiment of the device embodiedaccording to the invention in longitudinal direction of line XV-XV inFIG. 14, and a cross-sectional view across the embodiment of the deviceembodied according to the invention in longitudinal direction of lineXVI-XVI in FIG. 14, according to FIGS. 1 to 7, and

FIGS. 17 to 21 cross-sectional views across the embodiment of the deviceembodied according to the invention according to FIGS. 10 to 16 inlongitudinal direction of lines XVII-XVII, XVIII-XVIII, and XIX-XIX inFIG. 14 and in longitudinal direction of lines XX-XX and XXI-XXI in FIG.12.

The device 10 according to the invention is provided for drivinginstruments and tools. In the following description of some of theexemplary embodiments of the device 10 according to the inventioncorresponding, equal components are each denoted by identical referencenumerals.

The—particularly portable—device 10 according to the invention issuitable for driving instruments and tools in general. For this purposethe same may be instruments and tools usually utilized in the handicraftindustry, with material processing, etc. in a multi-functional manner.Furthermore, the device 10 according to the invention is suitable fordriving medical instruments and tools in particular, such as for drivingcutting devices for surgery to be placed in rotation, particularly forremoving organic tissue, preferably myomas, tumors, abscesses,carcinomas, etc., or an inorganic body, such as gall and bladder stonesor similar agglomerations, which are accommodated and/or surrounded by abody or joint cavity, such as an organic hollow space of a human oranimal body, and/or are at least partially accommodated and/orsurrounded in or at a wall section thereof.

A preferred embodiment of such a device 10 according to the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8E.

The device 10 has a housing 12 and a switching device 16 disposed on theexterior side 14 of the housing 12.

As can be seen, particularly from FIGS. 1 to 8E, the housing 12 isembodied substantially in the form of a cylinder. Without providing aparticular illustration, the housing 12 may, alternatively orcumulatively, have an anatomical shape that is adjusted to the hand of auser.

According to FIGS. 8A to 8E the housing 12 accommodates a motor 18, apower supply device 20 which is associated with the motor 18, and aconical drive element 22. The conical drive element 22 is alsoassociated with the motor 18, partially projects from the housing 12,more specifically from the upper front side 24 of the exterior 14 of thehousing 12, and interacts with the instruments or tools (notillustrated) to be driven.

The switching device 16 serves for turning the motor 18 on and off. Forthis purpose the switching device 16 comprises an actuating element 26.

The actuating element 26 extends at least partially, and particularlycompletely, about the circumference of the cylindrically embodiedhousing 12, and is configured in a relative pivoting manner opposite ofthe housing 12 according to double arrow 28.

In the embodiment of the device 10 according to the invention shown inFIGS. 1 to 8E the actuating element 26 of the switching device 16 isembodied in a ring or disk shape. Preferably, the actuating element 26of the switching element 16 is configured as a ring according to FIG. 6,which is supported on a part 12′ of the housing 12 in an advantageousmanner. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the part 12′ of the housing 12 isalso embodied in a cylindrical shape.

In the embodiment of the device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 8E theactuating element 26 projects at the exterior circumference 30 thereofbeyond the exterior side 14 of the housing 12. In this regard theactuating element 26 has a larger outside diameter than the housing 12itself. In this manner the actuating element 26 may be gripped simplyand quickly, without exerting any great effort, and operated for thefurther handling of the device 10.

Furthermore, the actuating element 26 of the switching device 16 isequipped with a profiling 32 on the exterior circumference 30 thereof.The profiling 32 on the exterior circumference 30 is configured asknurling, gearwheel, crown gear, or the like.

The actuating element 26 of the switching device 16 is embodied in amanner pivoting relative about the longitudinal axis 34 of the housingopposite of the housing 12, or about an axis positioned parallelthereto, in an advantageous manner.

Furthermore, the actuating element 26 of the switching device 16 may bepivoted relative opposite of the housing 12 from a first position,particularly an initial position, illustrated schematically in FIG. 6into a second position, particularly a contact position (notillustrated), and vice versa.

In order to limit the relative pivoting of the actuating element 26opposite of the housing 12 at least one stop element 36 is associatedwith the actuating element 26 according to FIGS. 6 and 7. In theembodiment of the device 10 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 the stop elementcomprises at least one substantially curved longitudinal hole 38, or arespectively formed recess, in which a pin 40, bolt, or similar guide orconnecting link element is accommodated. The pin 40, bolt or similarguide element extends parallel to the longitudinal axis 34 of thehousing 12.

In the exemplary embodiment of the device 10 according to FIGS. 6 and 7the at least one stop element 36 is configured in the form of twosubstantially curved longitudinal holes 38 or recesses, in which one pin40, bolt or similar guide element is accommodated and guided, whichextends parallel to the longitudinal axis 34 of the housing 12. The pin40, bolt or similar guide element is inserted and accommodated in a bore42 at each end in an accurately fitting manner.

The length of the substantially curved longitudinal hole 38 or similarrecess determines the location of the first position or initialposition, and of the second position or contact position of theactuating element 26.

Preferably, the two curved longitudinal holes 38 or recesses aredisposed on the actuating element 26 substantially at an offset of 180°to each other, e.g. across the circumference of the actuating element 26embodied as a ring in a uniformly disposed manner. In this manner anexact guiding and simultaneous limiting of the pivoting movement of theactuating element 26 can be achieved.

Furthermore, the switching device 16 comprises a magnetic switch 33,which is preferably configured as a Reed switch in order to turn themotor 18 on and/or off, and vice versa.

In particular, the switching device comprises a contact wire 46 for theelectric connection of the motor 18 by means of the power supply device20 and a magnet 48 interacting with the contact wire 46. The contactwire 46 of the switching device 16 is disposed in a groove 49 extendingapproximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing 12. Themagnet 48 on the other hand, is disposed on the actuating element 26 ofthe switching device 16, more specifically on the interior circumference50, and facing the contact wire 46. Without illustrating the same indetail, a kinematic reverse of the same is also conceivable, althoughsuch a construction would involve an increased construction effort.

In the embodiment of the device 10 according to the invention theswitching device 16, as illustrated particularly in FIGS. 6 and 7,further has a resetting device 52 that is associated with the actuatingelement 26. The resetting device 52 pressurizes the actuating element 26such that the actuating element 26 can be automatically returned fromthe contact position (not illustrated) into the initial positionaccording to FIG. 6. In this manner it is ensured that the actuatingelement 26 returns to the initial position automatically without anyactive handling, thus promptly turning the motor off, whereby the device10 according to the invention is put out of operation overall.

In the present exemplary embodiment of the device 10 the resettingdevice 52 has a magnetic arrangement 54. The magnetic arrangement 54comprises a magnet 56 of a certain polarity, which is disposed on or inthe actuating element 26. The magnetic arrangement 54 is furtherequipped with two magnets 58, 60, which face the magnet 56 and aredisposed in the housing 12. For this purpose the magnet 58 has apolarity corresponding to the polarity of the magnet 56. The magnet 60,however, has a polarity that is opposite the polarity of each of themagnets 56, 58. In this manner the actuating element 26 makes an attemptto permanently return to the first position, e.g. the initial position,from the second position against the retaining force of the user.

Without illustrating the same in detail, the resetting device 52 may, ofcourse, also be formed by means of a spring arrangement, wherein aspring (not shown) is disposed between the actuating element 26 of theswitching device 16 and the housing 12. Due to the spring generating aspring force that is acting opposite of the retaining force of the user,the actuating element 26 also makes an attempt to return into theinitial position.

The switching device 16 is further equipped with a device 62 fordisplaying the current state of the power supply device 20, asillustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, which is associated with the motor 18.In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 the device 62comprises a housing section 64, which is light-permeable, and isequipped with optical signaling elements 66, particularly light-emittingdiodes (LEDs) on the interior (compare to particularly FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8D,and 8E). The light-permeable housing section 64 is embodied in anannular manner, e.g. as a ring, in the embodiment of the device 10according to FIGS. 1 to 8E.

It would be conceivable, for example, that white signaling elements 66are activated as long as the power supply device 20 has a charge statebetween 50% and 100%. The annular housing section 64 therefore glows inwhite. If the charge state of the power supply device 20 achieves acharge state of between 30% and 50%, blue signaling elements 66 areactivated, for example, whereby the housing section 64 then glows inblue. If, however, the charge state of the power supply device 20 isless than 30%, red signaling elements 66 are automatically activated,which will now illuminate the housing section 64 in red. The user willtherefore be notified of the current charge state of the power supplydevice 20 in a timely manner.

Furthermore, in the embodiment of the device 10 according to FIGS. 1 to8E, the housing 12 is embodied in an encapsulated manner. For thispurpose the power supply device 20 has at least one rechargeableaccumulator 68. The accumulator 68 can be electrically connected to anexternal charger (not illustrated) via approximately punctiform contacts70, 72. The contacts 70, 72 are disposed on the exterior side 14 of thehousing 12, more specifically on the bottom front side 74. In order toachieve a recharging of the power supply device 20 in the externalcharger, additional constructive measures may optionally be required,such as centering devices or the like, in order to be able to achieve arespective automatic contacting between the device 10 and the externalcharger.

As the schematic illustrations of FIGS. 8A to 8E show, the device 10according to the invention further comprises a relay 76, which isassociated with the motor 18 in the region of the bottom front side 74of the housing 12. The relay 76 is disposed between a control board 78and the magnetic switch 44, which in turn is electrically connected tothe control board 78. The relay 76 serves for the construction and themaintaining of a sufficient operating voltage of the motor 18 as soon asthe magnetic switch 44 is activated due to a pivoting of the actuatingelement 26. The relay 76 also serves as a brake for the motor 18 in aparticularly advantageous manner. In this regard a dieseling of themotor 18 after the return of the actuating element 26 into the initialposition thereof, and thus after deactivating the magnetic switch 44, issafely excluded. The result is a very exact handling possibility of thedevice 10 according to the invention by means of the user.

An insulating layer 80 is provided between the power supply device 20and the control board 78, which serves for the mechanical and thermalseparation of the power supply device 20 and the control board 78.

As is obvious particularly from FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8E, the motor 18 isequipped with a shield plate 82 or the like at the exteriorcircumference thereof in order to achieve an electromagnetic shieldbetween the motor 18 and the magnetic switch 44.

Furthermore, a gear 84 that is interconnected between the motor 18 andthe conical drive element 22 is in turn associated with the motor 18 ina directly adjacent manner. The gear 84 that may be provided purelyoptionally ensures precisely predefined rotational speeds and/or forceor torque transmissions, which are initiated onto the conical element 22by the motor 18, and are in turn to be transferred onto the instrumentsor tools by the same. The drive element 22 may be equipped, for example,with a profile having a rectangular, elliptical, trapezoid,parallelogram, or semicircular cross-section.

The device 10 and the instruments or tools can be detachably connectedto each other in reciprocal engagement via bores 85 or recesses orprojections (not illustrated) that are radially disposed on the housing12, and projections or bores or recesses on stationary components of theinstruments or tools (not illustrated) that are embodied correspondingto the same, which are provided as a coupling.

The conical drive element 22 itself is supported on a ball bearing 86and is carried by the same. The ball bearing 86 is held at a distance bya seal 90 via a spacer ring 88. The seal 90 closes an annular gap 92 onthe upper front side 24 of the housing 12, and ensures a completeencapsulation or enclosement of the housing 12 overall in this regard.

A further embodiment of a device 10 according to the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 9A to 9F. The embodiment according to FIGS. 9A to9F corresponds substantially with the embodiment of the device 10according to FIGS. 1 to 8E with regard to the function thereof.

However, the dimensions and shape of the device 10 according to FIGS. 9Ato 9F differ with regard to the construction thereof.

For example, the dimensions of the embodiment of the device 10 accordingto FIGS. 9A to 9F are selected proportionally significantly larger. Thisprimarily results from the fact that the device 10 according to FIGS. 9Ato 9F is equipped with a power supply device 20 that comprises a totalof three rechargeable accumulators 68 (not illustrated). In this regardthe housing 12 mandatorily must be embodied at a larger size.

Furthermore, the device 10 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A to 9Fadditionally has a base element 94 in the region of the bottom frontside 74 of the housing 12. For this purpose the base element 94 servesfor an automatic setup or erection of the device 10 during the usethereof. Furthermore, the base element 94 counteracts a possibleself-actuated movement of the device 10 in case of a lateral lengthwisestorage.

A further constructive difference between the embodiment of the device10 according to FIGS. 9A to 9F as opposed to the embodiment according toFIGS. 1 to 8E, or 8A to 8F is the embodiment of the light-permeablehousing section 64′. The housing section 64′ is in fact embodieddiscontinuously, particularly in a punctiform manner. A total of threelight-permeable, punctiform embodied housing sections 64′ are providedin the base element 94, to which one signaling element 66 of differentcolor is associated with. The color scheme for displaying the currentcharge state of the power supply device 20 may be selected equal to thatof the previous embodiments. It is, however, also conceivable to prefera different color scheme, such as that of a traffic light. In thismanner, the colors green could indicate a charge state of the powersupply device of between 50% and 100%, yellow between 30% and 50%, andred less than 30% to up to no charge present.

Finally, FIGS. 10 to 21 illustrate yet a further embodiment of a device10 according to the invention. The embodiment according to FIGS. 10 to21 corresponds substantially to the embodiments of the device 10according to FIGS. 1 to 8E or 9A to 9F with regard to the functionthereof.

Furthermore, the embodiment of the device according to the inventionaccording to FIGS. 10 to 21 substantially equals that according to FIGS.1 to 8E with few exceptions with regard to the construction thereof.

Accordingly, the actuating element 26 of the switching device 16 isequipped with a different profiling 32 on the exterior circumference 30thereof. The profiling 32 on the exterior circumference 30 is embodiedin the form of at least two recessed grips 96 or the like, which aredisposed on the exterior circumference 30 of the actuating element 26 atthe same distance to each other. In such an embodiment, however, morethan two recessed grips 96 are of advantage. As shown, particularly inFIGS. 12 and 13, a total of 8 such recessed grips 96 are purposefullyprovided in the illustrated embodiment of the device 10 according toFIGS. 12 to 21.

Furthermore, a recharging of the at least one accumulator 68 may becarried out automatically in the embodiment of the device 10 accordingto FIGS. 10 to 21 as soon as the device 10 is plugged into a respectiverecess of the external charger. In this manner the contact 70, which isembodied, for example, as a positive terminal, is disposed in the centerat the bottom front side 74 of the housing 12. Instead of a punctiformcontact 72, however, a substantially circular contact 72′ is provided,which in turn is embodied as a negative terminal. Due to the arrangementand embodiment of the contacts 70, 72′ a certain positioning orinsertion of the device 10 into the recess of the external charger isnot required.

Finally, the arrangement of the relay 76 is different in the region ofthe bottom front side 74 of the housing from the embodiment of thedevice 10 according to FIGS. 1 to 8E. In the embodiment of the device 10according to FIGS. 10 to 21 the relay 76 is disposed opposite of themotor 18 in a directly adjacent manner, thus obtaining a simplifiedconstruction overall.

The housing 12 and/or the switching device 16 and/or the actuatingelement 26 and/or the light-permeable housing section 64, 64′ arepreferably made from plastic, particularly (hard) polyvinyl chloride,polyoximethylene (POM), polyester, polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU), ABS,acrylic, polycarbonate, tetrafluoroethylene or impax, duro-plasticelastomers, with or without fiber glass reinforcement, or of acombination thereof.

As an alternative, or cumulatively, the housing 12 and/or the switchingdevice 16 and/or the actuating device 26 may also be made from metal,particularly (rust-resistant) steel, stainless steel, aluminum, brass,zinc, gunmetal alloys, or an alloy thereof.

Finally, the housing 12 may be produced by means of milling, injectionmolding, or laser.

The invention is not limited to the previous embodiments. Rather,instead of an encapsulated housing 12 and a power supply device 20having at least one rechargeable accumulator 64, it is also possible toembody a housing having a screw, bayonet, or similar closure comprisinga cover or cap-shaped closure element in a sealed and closeable manner,wherein in this case the power supply device 20 has at least onebattery. In this manner a versatile and reusable device 10 may also beobtained. As an alternative it is also conceivable to embody the housing12 in an encapsulated manner, wherein the power supply device 20,however, has a line to an electric connection comprising an externalpower source (also not illustrated).

1. A device for driving instruments and tools, comprising a housing (12)for accommodating a motor (18), a power supply device (20) associatedwith the motor (18), and a conical drive element (22) associated withthe motor (18), partially projecting from the housing (12) andinteracting with the instruments or tools, and a switching device (16)disposed on the exterior side of the housing (12) for switching themotor on and off, wherein the switching device (16) comprises anactuating element (26) extending at least partially, particularlycompletely, about the circumference of the housing (12) and isconfigured in a relatively pivotable manner opposite of the housing(12).
 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that theactuating element (26) of the switching device (16) is embodied in anannular or disk-shaped manner.
 3. The device according to claim 1,characterized in that the actuating element (26) of the switching device(16) is embodied as a ring that is supported particularly on a part(12′) of the housing (12).
 4. The device according to claim 1,characterized in that the actuating element (26) of the switching device(16) extends beyond the exterior side (14) of the housing (12).
 5. Thedevice according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element(26) of the switching device (16) is equipped with a profiling (32) onthe exterior circumference (30) thereof.
 6. The device according toclaim 5, characterized in that the profiling (32) on the exteriorcircumference (30) of the actuating element (26) of the switching device(16) is embodied as a knurling, gearwheel, or crown gear, or in the formof at least two recessed grips (96) or the like.
 7. The device accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the actuating element (26) of theswitching device (16) is embodied in a manner pivoting relative aboutthe longitudinal axis (34) of the housing (12) or an axis parallel tothe same opposite of the housing (12).
 8. The device according to claim1, characterized in that the actuating element (26) of the switchingdevice (16) can be pivoted relative opposite of the housing (12) from afirst position, particularly an initial position, into a secondposition, particularly a contact position, and vice versa.
 9. The deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that at least one stop element(36) is associated with the actuating element (26) of the switchingdevice (16) for limiting the relative pivoting of the actuating element(26) opposite of the housing (12).
 10. The device according to claim 1,characterized in that the actuating element (26) of the switching device(16) is equipped with at least one substantially curved elongated hole(38) or recess, in which a pin (40), bolt or similar guide element issubstantially extending parallel to the longitudinal axis (34) of thehousing (12) is accommodated.
 11. The device according to claim 1,characterized in that the actuating element (26) of the switching device(16) is equipped with two substantially curved elongated holes (38) orrecesses, in which one pin (40), bolt or similar guide element extendingsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (34) of the housing (12)is accommodated.
 12. The device according to claim 11, characterized inthat the two curved elongated holes (38) or recesses are disposed on theactuating element (26) of the switching device (16) at an offset ofsubstantially about 180° to each other.
 13. The device according toclaim 1, characterized in that the switching device (16) comprises amagnetic switch (44), particularly a Reed switch, for turning the motor(18) on and off.
 14. The device according to claim 1, characterized inthat the switching device (16) comprises a contact wire (46) for theelectric connection of the motor (18) to the power supply device (20)and a magnet (48) interacting with the contact device (46).
 15. Thedevice according to claim 14, characterized in that the contact wire(46) of the switching device (16) is disposed substantially in a groove(49) extending approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis (34) ofthe housing (12), and the magnet (48) is disposed on the actuatingelement (26) of the switching device (16) on the interior circumference(5) thereof facing the contact wire (46), and vice versa.
 16. The deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the switching device (16)comprises a resetting device (52), which is associated with theactuating element (26) and pressurizes the actuating element (26) suchthat the actuating element (26) may be automatically returned from thecontact position into the initial position.
 17. The device according toclaim 16, characterized in that the resetting device (52) has a magneticarrangement (54), wherein a magnet (56) is disposed on or in theactuating element (26) of the switching device (16), and two magnets(58, 60) facing the magnet (56) are disposed in the housing (12). 18.The device according to claim 17, characterized in that the resettingdevice (52) has a spring arrangement, wherein a spring is disposedbetween the actuating element (26) of the switching device (16) and thehousing (12).
 19. The device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe switching device (16) comprises a relay (76) that is associated withthe motor (18).
 20. The device according to claim 1, characterized inthat the switching device (16) comprises a device (62) for displayingthe current state of the power supply device (20) associated with themotor (18). 21-30. (canceled)